Crow was eliminated by a nationwide audience poll after Scherzinger failed to cast a deciding vote. “I wasn’t going to be the one to send anyone home,” Scherzinger told People magazine.

Crow collapsed bawling on stage (pictured) when the outcome was announced Thursday night.

“She needs to clean out her ears,” one fan wrote of Scherzinger on the show’s Web site. Another fan called her a “spineless witch.”

Crow seemed the only person willing to forgive Scherzinger. The 13-year-old rising star yesterday called Scherzinger “beautiful on the inside and out.” After the show Scherzinger joined Crow backstage for a sympathetic weepfest (inset).

Asked about reports that Scherzinger had cried for a half-hour, Crow answered: “Nicole did not cry for 30 minutes. She cried for an hour-and-a-half. She was devastated.”